Caracas
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As part of my on going study of the development of urban slums I visited Caracas, Venezuela. This is home to the most violent and some of the largest slums in South America. It’s also one of the most politically volatile countries as ‘El Presidente’ Hugo Chavez purses his socialist party’s ‘Bolivian Revolution’. It is country where everyone takes a stance. Judging by the poverty and inequities that exist it has a long way to go. Caracas is now the murder capital of the world with around 7.700 murders a year, which is more than 20 a day. Of these only 3% end in the killers being caught so one can literally kill with impunity. It’s something I discovered as I got mugged at gunpoint on my first day, one gun to my head the other at my stomach. It’s the only time I’ve ever been mugged.
Many of the poor of Caracas work hard in an attempt to pull themselves out of their economic circumstances. The squatters of the Centro Financiero Confinanzas, a half built and abandoned office and mall development are literally attempting to build their own community after they organized themselves into a militia to throw out the gangs and know employ their own security guards to keep them out. It is a community trying to take control of it’s destiny but the forces of poverty surround them as with many of the poor globally and can drag them down into the abyss.
Many of the poor of Caracas work hard in an attempt to pull themselves out of their economic circumstances. The squatters of the Centro Financiero Confinanzas, a half built and abandoned office and mall development are literally attempting to build their own community after they organized themselves into a militia to throw out the gangs and know employ their own security guards to keep them out. It is a community trying to take control of it’s destiny but the forces of poverty surround them as with many of the poor globally and can drag them down into the abyss.
Caracas Cityscape
Washing drying on thecar park roof of in an half built and abandoned office and mall development, the Centro Financiero Confinanzas. It is the third tallest building in Caracas at 18 storeys. It is squatted by over 300 families who are slowly building a homes for themselves. They have managed to get electricity to all floors. Water however has to be brought up by hand and there are no toilets.
Andrea Carolina with her son and a neighbours girl that she look after during the day. Her family are squatting in an half built and abandoned office and mall development, the Centro Financiero Confinanzas. They are slowly building a home for themselves and have managed to get electricity. Water however has to be brought up by hand and there are no toilets.
Residents who are squatting in an half built and abandoned office and mall development, the Centro Financiero Confinanzas.
Mural of Jesus and Mary with a Kalashnikov on the 23 de Enero estate. This is one of the most pro Chavez areas in Caracas. The local malitia's are armed and fought running battles with the army during the failed coup in 2002.
Teenager's stopped and searched by the police in the Barrio of Petare. They are suspected of stealing a motorbike.
A sex worker protests to a police officer after her friends are searched as the police look for a reported gunman.
Maria Guadelupe at her home in the Barrio of Petare. Outside through the window she can see the remains of her neighbours homes which collapsed in a landslide during heavy rains. Three hundred people lost their homes. Landslides are a contant worry for the residents of the Barrio's as most are built on the steep slopes of the hills surrounding Caracas.
The grand-daughter and grandson of Ameli Bauza playing at her home on the 23 de Enero estate, Caracas. Ameli's three daughters and her son live with her due to the housing shortage. They all have children of their own.
One of the large tenement blocks on the 23 de Enero estate. This is one of the most pro Chavez areas in Caracas. The local militia's are armed and fought running battles with the army during the failed coup in 2002.
One of the local gangs having a beer and barbecue in the Barrio of San Augustín. The gang is the most notorious in the Barrio. It's trademark is to saw off the limbs of it's rivals and throw them in the bin at the bottom of the hill.
Mural of Che Guevara in the 23 de Enero estate. This is one of the most pro Chavez areas in Caracas.
Dealers selling drugs on a Sunday afternoon in the Barrio of San Agustín.
The young daughter of Maria Quintero having lunch at home in the Barrio of Petare.
Night scene at 23 de Enero
